This is one of my best work yet!
As part of my Construction paper, we had to design an iconic building that would be fit to enter as a UNESCO proposal. We had to submit construction documents and design in great depth - from overall building plans, sections and elevations, to joint details and materiality.
My building speaks of New Zealand's silver fern. The colours of black and white have a special significance for New Zealanders and a strong and distinct identity internationally. Aside from being a native and widespread species, it has inspired New Zealanders in all aspects of their lives; from sports, to the famous NZ exported 'Fern Leaf Butter', badges on most NZ army uniform, Neil Dawson's Civic Square sculpture, Labour party badge, Violet Walrond's swimming costume for 1920 Olympic games and the list goes on.
I intended to give the city and New Zealanders an iconic building placed elegantly on our Wellington waterfront that they would be proud of. But the trick was to translate this concept into reality - its structural stability, materiality to convey the intended organic form, serviceability and access, lighting, protection from the harsh winds along the waterfront, and an architectural programme that would suit the needs of the users!
I am very pleased with the result as I have learnt so much about how important it is to keep imaginary concepts so closely grounded to reality. Experimenting and researching into the technology of tension cable structures all the way down to working out the details of a spider connection of a curtain wall system has helped me to see architecture in the marketplace very differently. Gone is the time where we can come up with ideological and utopian solutions in our first few years of study and call it architecture. I have deeply enjoyed learning more about how to design buildings that are rich in poetry but most of all to actually make it work!
